Society Joins Long-Term Care Providers in Urging Foreign Trained Healthcare Workers Into United States

Last week, the Society joined other post-acute and long-term care providers in writing a letter to the U.S. Department of State regarding the Immigrant Visa Prioritization update that was issued on April 30, 2021. The guidance issued places for nurses and other skilled health-care professionals in the lowest priority tier for the visa authorization process for entry into the United States. The groups state that “this categorization is causing significant delays of entry into the United States for a desperately needed population of foreign-trained immigrant health care workers and nurses.”

The letter stated: “Owners and operators of skilled nursing facilities, assisted living communities and intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are currently faced with a significant work force shortage due to the strain on the country’s health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic and the lack of qualified and trained workers in the United States. This work force shortage is directly affecting the ability of our members to provide their patients and communities with the utmost care they are entitled to receive.”

The groups urge the State Department to amend the Immigrant Visa Prioritization and prioritize the entry of foreign-trained nurses and health-care workers into the United States and allow providers to care for the vulnerable population they serve.